Setting up the 3rd Teacher: A peek into Sidney’s Classroom

“The environment should act as an aquarium which reflects the ideas, ethics, attitudes, and culture of the people who live in it. This is what we are working towards.” Loris Malaguzzi

With the new school year fast approaching for many, setting up the classroom environment is one of the first steps in our preparation for the new school year. When we set the space to support and facilitate children’s interests – we set in motion the magic and wonder of the third teacher.

Over the next few weeks – we are going to take a peek into several teacher’s preliminary steps in preparing the environment.

This week, we are looking into Sidney Webb’s classroom, a PreK teacher from Rosa Parks Elementary in Tulsa, OK. It is important to know that Sidney will pull the details together in this room once the children come and put their imprint on it.

I love how the natural elements create such a calm and welcoming canvas. Note the hanging branch from a bush.

Light & Shadow Center

Notice the materials that surround the light table. I love how she has provided enough to see what captures the children’s interest. Magnifying glasses to take a deeper look at creations on the table. Brilliant!

It is wonderful to see so many intriguing loose parts arranged invitingly. I wish that I could see the responses and interactions of the children when they play and explore in this beautiful and welcoming environment.

Such a calming and inviting environment!
I have had my pencil crayons and crayons sorted like yours last year on the art shelf with other supplies and found the children never used them. They preffered to grab the whole container of mixed markers and bring to a table, or use the other markers that were sitting on a lazy Suzan on the table sorted by colour, but easy to access. How do you encourage the children to use yours? They look so much more inviting and organized your way.